How Did We All Learn to Love Game of Thrones?

It Wasn't a Foregone Conclusion

A couple seasons ago, we had to marvel at the fact that a television show about a faux-medieval world full
of dragons, made-up languages, dwarves and rape had captured the hearts of the masses. Like, including your
girlfriend and all of her friends. And us. Game of Thrones is an incredible show. But it hardly
screamed "universal appeal" when it first premiered. The masses are fickle that way, as...less pleasant
surprises have affirmed more recently.